Hughes

Origin and Meaning:

Hughes is a common Welsh surname that originated from the given name Hugh, which is of Germanic origin meaning "heart" or "mind." The Welsh form of the surname, "ap Hugh," means "son of Hugh." The surname Hughes is derived from this Welsh form.

History:

The surname Hughes has a long history in Wales and can be traced back to the ancient Celtic tribes that inhabited the region. It is believed to have been introduced to Britain by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over time, the surname spread throughout England, Ireland, and other English-speaking countries.

Distribution and Popularity:

Hughes is a popular surname in Wales and is also common in England, Ireland, the United States, and Canada. Variants of the surname, such as Hewes and Hughs, can also be found in some regions.

Famous Bearers:

  • Richard Hughes (1900-1976): A Welsh writer and poet known for his works on Welsh cultural history.
  • Howard Hughes (1905-1976): An American business magnate, investor, aviator, and filmmaker known for his eccentric lifestyle.
  • Sarah Hughes (b. 1985): An American figure skater who won the gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
  • Tom Hughes (b. 1985): A British actor known for his roles in various television series and films.

In Summary:

The surname Hughes has a rich history rooted in the Celtic heritage of Wales. It has become a widespread and popular surname with notable bearers across various fields such as literature, business, sports, and entertainment.

There are approximately 157,694 people named Hughes in the UK. That makes it the 21st most common surname in Britain. Around 2,422 in a million people in Britain are named Hughes.

Surname type: From name of parent

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Wales

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Welsh

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Catherine
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Jane
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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